Introduction to Composites

Dr. Mehreen
These are synthetic resins, evolved as restorative
materials principally because of their Esthetic
Characteristics.

‘Combination of two components… A+B=AB’

Also known as Tooth Colored Materials,

used in the restoration of natural teeth.
Matrix Filler Composite
 History
1871-Silicates
• Alumina silica glass & phosphoric acid.
• Very soluble

1948-Acrylic Resins
• Polymethyl methacrylate
• High polymerization shrinkage

1962-BisGMA
• stronger resin

1969-filled composite resin

• Improved mechanical properties
• Less shrinkage

• 1970”s-acid etching and micro fills

• 1980”s-light curing and hybrids

• 1990”s-flowables and packables

• 2000”s-nanofills
 Composite Resins
A Composite is a system composed of a
mixture of two or more components, which
are essentially insoluble in each other and
differ in form.

Most frequently used

esthetic restorative
material.
 Applications/Indications

• Restoration for anterior and posterior teeth.

• Pits and fissure sealants.
• Bonding of ceramic veneers.
• Cementation of fixed prosthesis.
• To cement brackets in orthodontic treatment
• Used as splints.
Indications
 Contraindications

• Large posterior
restorations.
• Bruxism.
• Poor isolation.
 Composition Of Composites
1. Resin matrix
2. Filler Particles
3. Coupling agents

4. Activator and Initiator

5. Inhibitor
6. Optical modiers/Coloring agents
 Coupling
agent
Matrix Filler Composite
• Resin matrix- forms continuous phase and binds
the filler.
• Reinforcing filler Particles- strengthen the
composite.
• Coupling agents (organosilanes)- bind resin with
filler.
• Activator- activates the initiator
• Tertiary amine
• (Camphoroquinone - 400-500nm)
• Initiator (Benzoyl peroxide)- starts the reaction
• Inhibitor- prevents polymerization during storage.
• Coloring agents- give different shades
 Composition Of Composites
Resin Matrix
• Phase that polymerizes to form a solid mass and that
bonds to the tooth structure.
• Weakest and the least wear resistant phase.
• Absorbs water, stains and discolor.
• The beneficial properties contributed by the resin are
the ability to be molded at ambient temperatures
coupled with setting by polymerization achieved in a
conveniently short time.
• If the composite is made of just the resin matrix, it is
called unfilled resin.
 Composition Of Composites
Monomers in the Resin
• Bis GMA O
CH3
O
CH2=C-C-O-CH2CH-CH2O -C- OCH2CHCH2O-C-C=CH2
(bisphenol-A glyceril
CH3 OH CH3 OH CH3
methacrylate)-
Xenoestrogen
CH3 CH3
O O O O
•Urethane CH2=C-C-O-CH2CH2-O-C-NHCH2CH2CHCH2-C-CH2-NH-C- OCH2CH2O-C-C=CH2

Dimethylacryl CH3 CH3 CH3

ate (UDMA)

•Triethyelene glycol O O
CH2=C-C-O-CH2CH2-OCH2CH2 OCH2CH2O-C-C=CH2
dimethylacrylate CH3 CH3
(TEGDMA)
 Composition Of Composites
Filler Particles
• Improves material properties .
• It is 30-70% by volume
50-80% by weight

Advantages
Improves mechanical properties:
• Strength, Abrasion resistance, Esthetics, handling.
• Reduces coefficient of thermal expansion.
Curing shrinkage is reduced.
 Composition Of Composites
Types of Fillers
Three types of fillers Quarts, Colloidal silica, Glasses or Ceramic containing
heavy metals.

If the composite is made up of the resin matrix and fillers it is called Filled
Resin.

Benefits of filler:
Reinforce the matrix
Reduce polymerization shrinkage
Reduce thermal expansion and contraction.
Reduce water sorption and staining
Improve workability by increasing viscosity
Increased radiopacity
 Composition Of Composites
Types of Fillers
Quartz Colloidal silica Glass or Ceramic
containing heavy
metals
• Obtained by grinding • Referred to as micro • These fillers provide
or milling quartz. fillers. radiopacity to the
• Mainly used in • Obtained by resin restoration.
conventional Precipitation process. • Contain heavy metals
composites. • They are added in such as barium,
• They are chemically small amounts to strontium, zirconium.
inert but very hard. modify the paste • Most commonly used
viscosity. is barium glass.
• Only organic filler in • Have Refractory Index
Microfilled of around 1.5.
Composites.
 Composition of Composites
• Effect of Filler depends on the type , shape, size &
amount of filler incorporated and often, the existence
of efficient coupling between the filler.
Filler Size Filler content
Determines the surface As the filler content increases,
smoothness. the matrix content decreases.
Large particles = rougher Hardness and abrasion
surface. resistance increases.
Composites are most often
classified by the particle size.

• Increase in filler content increases ,mechanical

properties (strength, abrasion resistance, esthetics and
handling).
 Factors that determine the properties and
clinical applications of composites

• Amount of filler added

• Size of particle and its distribution (Wide
distribution of filler size is desirable for
maximum filler loading)
• Radiopacity
• Hardness
 Composition Of Composites
Coupling Agents
• Bonds the filler particles to the resin matrix.
• Most commonly used are Organosilanes like ɣ-
methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane.
• Most commonly used are Organosilanes.
• Improves physical and mechanical properties of the resin.
• Provides hydrolytic stability by preventing water from penetrating
along the filler-resin interface.

CH2 OH
Bis-GMA CH3-C-C-O-CH2-CH2-CH2-Si-OH
Bonds with resin Bonds with filler
O OH
Silane
 Composition Of Composites
Inhibitors and Accelerators
• Prevents spontaneous polymer formation.
 heat
 light
• Extends shelf life.
• Butylated Hydroxytoluene.
 Composition Of Composites
Pigments and Ultraviolet Absorbers
Provides the opacity or translucency needed
to make the composites similar to the natural
tooth tissue.
Metal oxide particles:
– Titanium dioxide
– Aluminum oxide
 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Composites
Advantages Disadvantages

• Excellent esthetics. • Technique sensitivity.

• Command set. • Polymerization
• Conservation of tooth shrinkage(Marginal
structure. leakage, Secondary
• Adhesion to tooth caries, Postoperative
structure. sensitivity).
• Low thermal • Decreased wear
conductivity. resistance.
• Alternative to Amalgam. • Lack strength and
• Clinically proven toughness.
• Biocompatible.
Dental Amalgam / Composite restorative
Dental Amalgam Composite
Ease of use Technique sensitive
Esthetics compromised because of grey color. Excellent esthetics
Retentive form required Conservation of tooth structure
High compressive strength & excellent wear It is relatively strong, providing good durability in
resistance small to mid sized restorations. Can break ore
wear out more easily than metal filling especially
in high stress areas.
Non- insulative Insulative
Long term clinical results available Clinical results still deficient as a relatively new
material
Economic Expensive
Can be mechanically bonded to tooth structure Chemically bonded to tooth structure

Self – sealing ability (corrosion products) Polymerization shrinkage

Delayed polishing Can be polished at the same appointment

Not repairable Repairable